Smith County Judge Participating in I-20 Corridor Study

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is working with local officials to kick off an I-20 Corridor Study to evaluate current safety and capacity needs and plan for the future along a 155-mile stretch of I-20 from I-635 in Dallas to the Louisiana State Line. The working group comprises public and private stakeholders including representatives from the counties of Smith, Dallas, Kaufman, Van Zandt, Gregg and Harrison; the cities of Mesquite, Balch Springs, Terrell, Tyler, Longview and Marshall; the North Central Texas Council of Governments; The Tyler Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Longview MPO; and the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority.

�The scope of this collaboration is unprecedented,� Smith County Judge Joel Baker (pictured) said in a news release. �I am excited to be part of this group as we work together to improve safety, support commerce and plan for the future of the I-20 corridor.�

Officials say the I-20 corridor currently serves as an integral east-west connection for both travel and trade in Texas. As the interstate system ages and population and trade increases, the importance of assessing the current corridor conditions and identifying opportunities for improvement and growth along the corridor come into play, according to officials.

According to the news release, during the next 18 months, the I-20 corridor study will focus on assessing current conditions; identifying both immediate and long-term needs; highlighting and prioritizing potential improvement projects; outlining funding requirements for the implementation of potential projects; and planning the next steps for TxDOT to advance this project.